Emergency Management Signs Islamic University-Gaza Civil
Engineering Department Infrastructure Master Program March,
2012
Slide 2
Sign definition Sign functions Sign Limitations Principles of
traffic signs Use of Sign Shapes Emergency Management Design of
Emergency Management Signs Examples of Emergency Management Signs
Control of Traffic Through Traffic Incident Management Areas
Examples of Traffic Incident Management Area Signs
Slide 3
Sign is defined as any traffic control device that is intended
to communicate specific information to road users through a word,
symbol, and/or arrow legend or A traffic sign is defined as a
device mounted on a fixed or portable support whereby a specific
message is conveyed by means of words or symbols. Signs do not
include highway traffic signals, pavement markings, delineators, or
channelization devices.
Slide 4
The purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the
principles for their use, is to promote highway safety and
efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all road users
on streets and highways throughout the Nation. Continues .. The
purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the principles for
their use, is to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing
for the orderly movement of all road users on streets and highways
throughout the Nation. Continues ..
Slide 5
Traffic control devices or their supports shall not bear any
advertising message or any other message that is not related to
traffic control. Traffic control devices or their supports shall
not bear any advertising message or any other message that is not
related to traffic control.
Slide 6
Regulatory signs give notice of traffic laws or regulations.
Warning signs give notice of a situation that might not be readily
apparent. Guide signs show route designations, destinations,
directions, distances, services, points of interest, and other
geographical, recreational, or cultural information Regulatory
signs give notice of traffic laws or regulations. Warning signs
give notice of a situation that might not be readily apparent.
Guide signs show route designations, destinations, directions,
distances, services, points of interest, and other geographical,
recreational, or cultural information
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Easily damaged due to impact or vandalism Visual quality
degrade over time due to dirt and normal reflectivity deterioration
Require continuous maintenance Easily damaged due to impact or
vandalism Visual quality degrade over time due to dirt and normal
reflectivity deterioration Require continuous maintenance
Slide 10
Fulfill a need; Command attention; Convey a clear, simple
meaning; Command respect from road users; and Give adequate time
for proper response. Fulfill a need; Command attention; Convey a
clear, simple meaning; Command respect from road users; and Give
adequate time for proper response.
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Shape, color, Size, composition, lighting or retro- reflection
should command attention and convey a simple meaning. The sign
should have: A. High visibility by day and night; and B. High
legibility (adequately sized letters or symbols, and a short legend
for quick comprehension by a road user approaching a sign). Shape,
color, Size, composition, lighting or retro- reflection should
command attention and convey a simple meaning. The sign should
have: A. High visibility by day and night; and B. High legibility
(adequately sized letters or symbols, and a short legend for quick
comprehension by a road user approaching a sign).
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ColorGeneral MeaningYellowWarning RedStop or prohibition
BlueRoad user services guidance, tourist information, and
evacuation route GreenIndicated movements permitted, direction
guidance BrownRecreational and cultural interest area guidance
OrangeTemporary traffic control BlackRegulations WhiteRegulation
Yellow Fluorescent Yellow - Green Pedestrian warning, bicycle
warning, school bus and school warning
Slide 17
Contingency planning for an emergency evacuation should be
considered by all State and local jurisdictions and should consider
the use of all applicable roadways. In the event of a disaster
where highways that cannot be used will be closed continue ..
Contingency planning for an emergency evacuation should be
considered by all State and local jurisdictions and should consider
the use of all applicable roadways. In the event of a disaster
where highways that cannot be used will be closed continue ..
Slide 18
A successful contingency plan should account for the following
elements: a controlled operation of certain designated highways,
the establishment oftraffic operations for the expediting of
essential traffic, and the provision of emergency centres for
civilian aid. A successful contingency plan should account for the
following elements: a controlled operation of certain designated
highways, the establishment oftraffic operations for the expediting
of essential traffic, and the provision of emergency centres for
civilian aid.
Slide 19
Emergency Management signs shall be used to guide and control
highway traffic during an emergency. Emergency Management signs
shall not permanently displace any of the standard signs that are
normally applicable. Advance planning for transportation operations
emergencies shall be the responsibility of State and local
authorities. The Federal Government shall provide guidance to the
States as necessitated by changing circumstances. continue .
Emergency Management signs shall be used to guide and control
highway traffic during an emergency. Emergency Management signs
shall not permanently displace any of the standard signs that are
normally applicable. Advance planning for transportation operations
emergencies shall be the responsibility of State and local
authorities. The Federal Government shall provide guidance to the
States as necessitated by changing circumstances. continue .
Slide 20
As conditions permit, the Emergency Management signs should be
replaced or augmented by standard signs. The background of
Emergency Managementsign should be retroreflective. Because
Emergency Management signs might be needed in large numbers for
temporary use during an emergency, consideration should be given to
their fabrication from any light and economical material that can
serve through the emergency period. Any Emergency Management sign
that is used to mark an area that is contaminated by biological or
chemical warfare agents or radioactive fallout may be accompanied
by the standard symbol As conditions permit, the Emergency
Management signs should be replaced or augmented by standard signs.
The background of Emergency Managementsign should be
retroreflective. Because Emergency Management signs might be needed
in large numbers for temporary use during an emergency,
consideration should be given to their fabrication from any light
and economical material that can serve through the emergency
period. Any Emergency Management sign that is used to mark an area
that is contaminated by biological or chemical warfare agents or
radioactive fallout may be accompanied by the standard symbol
Slide 21
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Evacuation Route Signs The Evacuation Route signs shall display
a blue circular symbol on a white square sign without a border as
shown in Figure. The sign shall be a blue 18 inches diameter circle
with a directional arrow and the legend EVACUATION ROUTE. If used
in urban areas, the Evacuation Route sign shall be mounted at the
right-hand side of the roadway, not less than 7 feet above the top
of the curb, and at least 1 foot back from the face of the curb.
continue . Evacuation Route Signs The Evacuation Route signs shall
display a blue circular symbol on a white square sign without a
border as shown in Figure. The sign shall be a blue 18 inches
diameter circle with a directional arrow and the legend EVACUATION
ROUTE. If used in urban areas, the Evacuation Route sign shall be
mounted at the right-hand side of the roadway, not less than 7 feet
above the top of the curb, and at least 1 foot back from the face
of the curb. continue .
Slide 23
If used in rural areas, the Evacuation Route sign shall be
mounted at the right-hand side of the roadway, not less than 7 feet
above the pavement and not less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet to
the right of the right-hand roadway edge. Evacuation Route signs
shall not be placed where they will conflict with other signs.
Where conflict in placement would occur between the Evacuation
Route sign and a standard regulatory sign, the regulatory sign
shall take precedence. If used in rural areas, the Evacuation Route
sign shall be mounted at the right-hand side of the roadway, not
less than 7 feet above the pavement and not less than 6 feet or
more than 10 feet to the right of the right-hand roadway edge.
Evacuation Route signs shall not be placed where they will conflict
with other signs. Where conflict in placement would occur between
the Evacuation Route sign and a standard regulatory sign, the
regulatory sign shall take precedence.
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AREA CLOSED Sign The AREA CLOSED sign shall be used to close a
roadway in order to prohibit traffic from entering the area It
shall be installed on the shoulder as near as practical to the
right-hand edge of the roadway, or preferably, on a portable
mounting or barricade partly or entirely in the roadway. For best
visibility, particularly at night, the sign height should not
exceed 4 feet measured vertically from the pavement to the bottom
of the sign. AREA CLOSED Sign The AREA CLOSED sign shall be used to
close a roadway in order to prohibit traffic from entering the area
It shall be installed on the shoulder as near as practical to the
right-hand edge of the roadway, or preferably, on a portable
mounting or barricade partly or entirely in the roadway. For best
visibility, particularly at night, the sign height should not
exceed 4 feet measured vertically from the pavement to the bottom
of the sign.
Slide 26
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TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT Sign The TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT sign shall
be used to designate a location where an official traffic control
point has been set up to impose such controls as are necessary to
limit congestion, expedite emergency traffic, exclude unauthorized
vehicles, or protect the public. The standard STOP sign shall be
used in conjunction with the TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT sign. The
TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT sign should be mounted directly below the
STOP sign TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT Sign The TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT sign
shall be used to designate a location where an official traffic
control point has been set up to impose such controls as are
necessary to limit congestion, expedite emergency traffic, exclude
unauthorized vehicles, or protect the public. The standard STOP
sign shall be used in conjunction with the TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT
sign. The TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT sign should be mounted directly
below the STOP sign
Slide 28
MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED Sign The MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED sign
may be used on highways where conditions are such that it is
prudent to evacuate or traverse an area as quickly as possible
Where an existing Speed Limit sign is in a suitable location, the
MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED sign may conveniently be mounted directly
over the face of the speed limit sign that it supersedes. continue
MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED Sign The MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED sign may
be used on highways where conditions are such that it is prudent to
evacuate or traverse an area as quickly as possible Where an
existing Speed Limit sign is in a suitable location, the MAINTAIN
TOP SAFE SPEED sign may conveniently be mounted directly over the
face of the speed limit sign that it supersedes. continue
Slide 29
If used in rural areas, the MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED sign shall
be mounted on the right-hand side of the road at a horizontal
distance of not less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet from the
roadway edge, and at a minimum height, measured vertically from the
bottom of the sign to the elevation of the near edge of the
traveled way, of 5 feet. If used in urban areas, the minimum
height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the top
of the curb, or in the absence of curb, measured vertically from
the bottom ofthe sign to the elevation of the near edge of the
traveled way, shall be 7 feet, and the nearest edge of the sign
shall be not less than 1 foot back from the face of the curb. If
used in rural areas, the MAINTAIN TOP SAFE SPEED sign shall be
mounted on the right-hand side of the road at a horizontal distance
of not less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet from the roadway edge,
and at a minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the
sign to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, of 5
feet. If used in urban areas, the minimum height, measured
vertically from the bottom of the sign to the top of the curb, or
in the absence of curb, measured vertically from the bottom ofthe
sign to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, shall
be 7 feet, and the nearest edge of the sign shall be not less than
1 foot back from the face of the curb.
Slide 30
ROAD (AREA) USE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC Sign The
intent of the ROAD (AREA) USE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC sign
is to notify road users of the presence of the traffic control
point so that those who do not have priority permits issued by
designated authorities can take another route, or turn back,
without making a needless trip and without adding to the screening
load at the post. Local traffic, without permits, can proceed as
far as the traffic control post. continue ROAD (AREA) USE PERMIT
REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC Sign The intent of the ROAD (AREA) USE
PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC sign is to notify road users of
the presence of the traffic control point so that those who do not
have priority permits issued by designated authorities can take
another route, or turn back, without making a needless trip and
without adding to the screening load at the post. Local traffic,
without permits, can proceed as far as the traffic control post.
continue
Slide 31
If used, the ROAD (AREA) USE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC
sign shall be used at an intersection that is an entrance to a
route on which a traffic control point is located. If used, the
ROAD (AREA) USE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THRU TRAFFIC sign shall be used
at an intersection that is an entrance to a route on which a
traffic control point is located.
Slide 32
Emergency Aid Centre Signs In the event of emergency, State and
local authorities shall establish various centers for civilian
relief, communication, medical service, and similar purposes. To
guide the public to such centers a series of directional signs
shall be used. Emergency Aid Center signs shall carry the
designation of the center and an arrow indicating the direction to
the center. continue .. Emergency Aid Centre Signs In the event of
emergency, State and local authorities shall establish various
centers for civilian relief, communication, medical service, and
similar purposes. To guide the public to such centers a series of
directional signs shall be used. Emergency Aid Center signs shall
carry the designation of the center and an arrow indicating the
direction to the center. continue ..
Slide 33
They shall be installed as needed, at intersections and
elsewhere, on the right-hand side of the roadway, in urban areas at
a minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign
to the top of the curb, or in the absence of curb, measured
vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation of the near
edge of the traveled way, of 7 feet, and not less than 1 foot back
from the face of the curb, and in rural areas at a minimum height,
measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation of
the near edge of the traveled way, of 5 feet, and at a horizontal
distance of not less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet from the
roadway edge. continue .. They shall be installed as needed, at
intersections and elsewhere, on the right-hand side of the roadway,
in urban areas at a minimum height, measured vertically from the
bottom of the sign to the top of the curb, or in the absence of
curb, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the
elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, of 7 feet, and not
less than 1 foot back from the face of the curb, and in rural areas
at a minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the
sign to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, of 5
feet, and at a horizontal distance of not less than 6 feet or more
than 10 feet from the roadway edge. continue ..
Slide 34
Emergency Aid Centre signs shall carry one of the following
legends, as appropriate, or others designating similar emergency
facilities: 1. MEDICAL CENTER 2. WELFARE CENTER 3. REGISTRATION
CENTER 4. DECONTAMINATION CENTER Emergency Aid Centre signs shall
carry one of the following legends, as appropriate, or others
designating similar emergency facilities: 1. MEDICAL CENTER 2.
WELFARE CENTER 3. REGISTRATION CENTER 4. DECONTAMINATION
CENTER
Slide 35
Shelter Directional Signs Shelter Directional signs shall be
used to direct the public to selected shelters that have been
licensed and marked for emergency use. The installation of Shelter
Directional signs shall comply with established signing standards.
Where used, the signs shall not be installed in competition with
other necessary highway guide, warning, and regulatory signs.
continue .. Shelter Directional Signs Shelter Directional signs
shall be used to direct the public to selected shelters that have
been licensed and marked for emergency use. The installation of
Shelter Directional signs shall comply with established signing
standards. Where used, the signs shall not be installed in
competition with other necessary highway guide, warning, and
regulatory signs. continue ..
Slide 36
Shelter Directional signs may carry one of the following
legends, or others designating similar emergency facilities: 1.
EMERGENCY 2. HURRICANE 3. FALLOUT 4. CHEMICAL Shelter Directional
signs may carry one of the following legends, or others designating
similar emergency facilities: 1. EMERGENCY 2. HURRICANE 3. FALLOUT
4. CHEMICAL
Slide 37
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) requires the use
of the Incident Command System (ICS) at traffic incident management
scenes. A traffic incident is an emergency road user occurrence, a
natural disaster, or other unplanned event that affects or impedes
the normal flow of traffic. continue The National Incident
Management System (NIMS) requires the use of the Incident Command
System (ICS) at traffic incident management scenes. A traffic
incident is an emergency road user occurrence, a natural disaster,
or other unplanned event that affects or impedes the normal flow of
traffic. continue
Slide 38
A traffic incident management area is an area of a highway
where temporary traffic controls are installed, as authorized by a
public authority or the official having jurisdiction of the
roadway, in response to a road user incident, natural disaster,
hazardous material spill, or other unplanned incident. It is a type
of TTC zone and extends from the first warning device (such as a
sign, light, or cone) to the last TTC device or to a point where
vehicles return to the original lane alignment and are clear of the
incident continue A traffic incident management area is an area of
a highway where temporary traffic controls are installed, as
authorized by a public authority or the official having
jurisdiction of the roadway, in response to a road user incident,
natural disaster, hazardous material spill, or other unplanned
incident. It is a type of TTC zone and extends from the first
warning device (such as a sign, light, or cone) to the last TTC
device or to a point where vehicles return to the original lane
alignment and are clear of the incident continue
Slide 39
Traffic incidents can be divided into three general classes of
duration, each of which has unique traffic control characteristics
and needs. These classes are: 1. Majorexpected duration of more
than 2 hours, 2. Intermediateexpected duration of 30 minutes to 2
hours, and 3. Minorexpected duration under 30 minutes. continue
Traffic incidents can be divided into three general classes of
duration, each of which has unique traffic control characteristics
and needs. These classes are: 1. Majorexpected duration of more
than 2 hours, 2. Intermediateexpected duration of 30 minutes to 2
hours, and 3. Minorexpected duration under 30 minutes.
continue
Slide 40
The primary functions of TTC at a traffic incident management
area are to inform road users of the incident and to provide
guidance information on the path to follow through the incident
area.
Slide 41
The use of emergency-vehicle lighting (such as high-intensity
rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights) is essential,
especially in the initial stages of a traffic incident, for the
safety of emergency responders and persons involved in the traffic
incident, as well as road users approaching the traffic incident.
continue .. The use of emergency-vehicle lighting (such as
high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights)
is essential, especially in the initial stages of a traffic
incident, for the safety of emergency responders and persons
involved in the traffic incident, as well as road users approaching
the traffic incident. continue ..
Slide 42
Emergency-vehicle lighting, however, provides warning only and
provides no effective traffic control. The use of too many lights
at an incident scene can be distracting and can create confusion
for approaching road users, especially at night. Road users
approaching the traffic incident from the opposite direction on a
divided facility are often distracted by emergency-vehicle lighting
and slow their vehicles to look at the traffic incident posing a
hazard to themselves and others traveling in their direction.
continue .. Emergency-vehicle lighting, however, provides warning
only and provides no effective traffic control. The use of too many
lights at an incident scene can be distracting and can create
confusion for approaching road users, especially at night. Road
users approaching the traffic incident from the opposite direction
on a divided facility are often distracted by emergency-vehicle
lighting and slow their vehicles to look at the traffic incident
posing a hazard to themselves and others traveling in their
direction. continue ..
Slide 43
The use of emergency-vehicle lighting can be reduced if good
traffic control has been established at a traffic incident scene.
This is especially true for major traffic incidents that might
involve a number of emergency vehicles. If good traffic control is
established through placement of advanced warning signs and traffic
control devices to divert or detour traffic, then public safety
agencies can perform their tasks on scene with minimal
emergency-vehicle lighting. continue The use of emergency-vehicle
lighting can be reduced if good traffic control has been
established at a traffic incident scene. This is especially true
for major traffic incidents that might involve a number of
emergency vehicles. If good traffic control is established through
placement of advanced warning signs and traffic control devices to
divert or detour traffic, then public safety agencies can perform
their tasks on scene with minimal emergency-vehicle lighting.
continue
Slide 44
Detour Route Auxiliary End Detour Route Auxiliary End (Detour)
Auxiliary Detour Route Auxiliary End Detour Route Auxiliary End
(Detour) Auxiliary
Slide 45
Detour Arrow Stop Ahead (symbol) Be Prepared To Stop Detour
Arrow Stop Ahead (symbol) Be Prepared To Stop
Slide 46
Lane Ends (symbol) Flagger (symbol) Lane Ends (symbol) Flagger
(symbol)